Another year, another <a href=”http://www.pgrc.org/races/wright_stuff_old.html” target=”_blank”>Wright Stuff 5k</a>. Last year, in the heart of my sub-20 push, <a href=”../index.php?misc=search&amp;subaction=showfull&amp;id=1196572792&amp;archive=&amp;cnshow=news&amp;ucat=2&amp;start_from=” target=”_self”>I ran this race</a> in 20:26. It was a cold day last year, and this year was even worse so I wasn’t expecting a blazing fast time considering my previous time on the course was nearly 30 seconds slower than what I was doing elsewhere [despite them calling it a “fast course”]. I came back to the race because I liked the atmosphere and I knew I’d place well, being a minute faster than I was at this time last year.<br/><br/>Looked around pre-race, noticed a fellow who had finished right in front of me last year, didn’t notice the top few from last year, but at the last minute saw a younger guy who looked like he could run. Was probably a few years younger than me, and just looked like he’d be quick.<br/><br/>The race started just after 8am. Knowing I’d be in the top handful, I started on the front line. I went out around 6-pace, which actually put me in the lead… Weird feeling; I had never led a race before. I joked to the guy who had barely beat me last year that I didn’t know what to do <img src=”http://www.iammike.org/cutenews/data/emoticons/tongue.gif”/><br/><br/>About a mile in, still leading, I hear footsteps… except they’re very slow and even. Just from the sound of them, I knew this was somebody I could not run with. Sure enough, the younger guy I had noticed passed me, put on a 20m lead, and pretty much held it the whole way.<br/><br/>I could have made a move, but one look at his stride told me I didn’t have a chance… He was out on an easy run… And he was going to win. I didn’t catch his name, but based on his gait I’d say he was a 16-17 minute runner. Anyway, every turn we came around, I’d take a glance back… The guy who had just beat me last year was behind me, but kept fading each and every time I looked back. Comfortably in second with no chance of winning, I went in to cruise mode for 2nd place overall in a time of 19:36.<br/><br/>I surely had another 10 seconds or so in me, but I was not going to set a personal best, the cold air hurt, and my place was decided… Why bother?<br/><br/>At the post-race, I won a $15 coupon for a <a href=”http://www.roadid.com/” target=”_blank”>RoadID</a>. Not having much interest in it, I gave it to Caitlin’s Mom, Leslie, who also ran the race. She has pretty much run a single digit number of times, but already has two 5Ks under her belt. Yes, anyone can do them. Her time was 34:05 or so… 10 seconds faster than her finish in the Turkey Trot. Way to go! Yayyy! <img src=”http://www.iammike.org/cutenews/data/emoticons/tongue.gif”/><br/><br/>The prize for 2nd overall (and 1st for that matter) was a bit blah… A certificate printed on a piece of computer paper. Hurrah! For the $36 entry fee they could have at least gotten some tiny trophies.<br/>